Sliema is undeniably the shopping heart of Malta, and the centre of it all is the Plaza shopping centre. The country’s oldest shopping mall, the Plaza has stood the test of time, evolving over the last couple of decades since its opening back in 1993. Now, one of its busiest floors is all set to undergo a massive change in the shape of a Food Hall.

The Plaza Food Hall will be opening its doors later this autumn

The Plaza’s Level 0 will be hosting a giant, 700 square metre Food Hall with multiple restaurants around a communal dining area.

The plan for the Plaza Food Hall is to have everything from a bar and a coffee shop, to more diverse culinary offerings, both artisan and local. Everything from pizza and pasta to more unique cuisine will be available, and a number of exciting household names have already confirmed their presence the food hall.

“Most stalls will feature local chefs and restauranteurs looking to expand their brand identities or trying to create a new one using Plaza Food Hall as a test kitchen,” recently-appointed Plaza CEO Steve Abela said. “The Hall will reflect the best of food trends, innovations, and exciting offerings.”

Apart from being a foodie paradise, The Plaza Food Hall wants to make aspiring vendors’ dreams come true

If you’ve ever dreamt about opening your own small food kiosk, then this is definitely a golden opportunity.

There are still some opportunities for aspiring tenants to join the Level 0 spread, a site that got just over 2,000,000 visitors last year!

Typical food stalls will vary from small kiosks to larger stalls that can even go up to 30 square metre in size. Connections for exhaust hoods to match any equipment will be provided, along with stubs in utilities including drains for sinks and wash hand basins, plumbing and wiring to the stall space, and a roller shutter and space to mount any signage. A substantial area is also being solely dedicated to communal seating.

“Each stall’s design must be approved for certain design criteria and process which will be established but again, we will do our best to allow the Food Hall to develop a personalized look and feel that is both eye-catching and unique,” Abela explained.

One alcohol-licensed bar will also be available, and individual stall owners are allowed to sell bottled water, soft drinks.

A variety of lease terms have been whipped up depending on the size of the stalls; the terms of lease are for 20 years, but are subject to negotiation.

So how do you apply to become a vendor for the Plaza Food Hall?

Well, it couldn’t be simpler.

All you have to do is apply through The Plaza’s website. Here, you’ll be asked to present a proposal which will detail your concept.

After this application, a process of presentations, interviews and a series of potential tastings are the only things sitting between you and your lifelong dream of opening up your own food stall… in Malta’s first ever shopping mall, no less!

Tag a foodie… and an aspiring food vendor!

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David Grech Urpani

Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).